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Lycaste
This genus produces large, showy triangular flowers that are waxy
and long lasting. The plants are distinctive for their round bulbs and broad, plicate
(pleated) leaves. Two cultural groups are generally recognized -- the evergreen skinneri
type, that flower from leafy pseudobulbs, and the deciduous aromatica type that flowers
from leafless pseudobulbs. Culture for the hybrid genus Angulocaste(Lycaste x
Anguloa)
follows the culture for the Lycaste parent.
LIGHT requirements vary. Deciduous species prefer light conditions as for
cattleyas 2,000 to 4 000 foot-candles or 50% to 70% shade. More light is usually provided
as new growths form pseudobulbs. Evergreen species prefer less light, 1,500 to 2,000
foot-candles or 60% to 80% shade.
TEMPERATURE for the evergreen species should be fairly constant and never
hot. Nights of 52 to 58 degrees F and days of 65 to 78 degrees F are desirable. The
deciduous species of Lycaste can tolerate a wider range, up to 95 degrees F during the day
and down to 50 degrees F at night when dormant in the winter.
WATER should be applied in larger amounts during, active growth (usually
summer) than when the plants are not producing new leaves and pseudobulbs. The potting
medium should just begin to dry out before watering. Deciduous species should be kept
almost completely dry when leafless; evergreen species should be kept only slightly drier
than normal after the pseudobulbs have formed. Water should be kept off the leaves, and
especially out of new growths, to prevent rot or leaf spotting.
HUMIDITY should be maintained at 40% to 70%. Deciduous species need less
humidity when dormant. Brisk air circulation will help prevent damage to leaves by
leafspot fungi.
FERTILIZER should be applied regularly and heavily when plants are
actively growing. A high nitrogen formulation (30-10-10) is recommended during active
growth (usually summer); some growers top-dress the potting medium with blood meal as new
pseudobulbs form. In fall, or as growths mature and pseudobulbs are produced, fertilizer
is reduced and/or switched to a high phosphorus (10-30-20) formulation to stimulate flower
production.
POTTING is best when new growth starts, usually in spring. A fine-grade
potting medium is often used; fir bark and perlite (3:1) is a common, well-draining mix.
When repotting, split plants into no less than two bulbs per pot and choose a pot to allow
for two years of growth. The bottom one quarter to one third of the pot should be filled
with drainage material, either broken crock, rocks, or Styrofoam "peanuts". The
plant should be positioned in the pot so that the newest growths are farthest away from
the edge of the pot, allowing the maximum number of new growths without crowding the pot.
Spread the roots over a cone of potting medium and fill in around the roots with potting
medium to the junction of the roots and the pseudobulbs. Firm the medium well around the
roots by applying pressure. Keep humidity high and the potting medium on the dry side
until new roots form. A vitamin B1 compound may help establish newly potted plants.
Prepared by: Education Committee, American Orchid Society, 6000 S. Olive Ave., West Palm
Beach, FL 33405 (407) 585-8666.
Reverse Taxonomic Breakdown
Genera - Anguloa
Lycaste
Alliance - N/A
Subtribe - Lycastinae
Tribe - Maxillarieae
Subfamily - Vandoideae
Family - Orchidaceae
Related hybrids -
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Last modified:
April 29, 2003
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